Cycling in Ayrshire and Arran

In recent years cycling has become a popular leisure activity in Ayrshire and Arran. Cycling round Ayrshire and Arran is a great way to see the region at your own pace and many cycle routes have been designed to pass famous locations without being too strenuous.

Have your pick of routes in Ayrshire and Arran as you grab your bike and set off to explore the region on two wheels. With such a wide range of terrain to challenge yourself, cycle coastal roads around the region's accessible islands or get away from it all on trails through some of Scotland's outstanding ancient forests.

The ferry to the Isle of Arran takes just 55 minutes from Ardrossan and is a gateway to great cycling opportunities and much more besides. Arran is often described as possessing the best that Scotland has to offer on one small island. As well as a whisky distillery, watersports, hill walking and so on, the island also offers the challenge of a 56-mile circular route, providing an excellent opportunity to discover many of the islands’ villages along the way. Not only that, there is Brodick Country Park, Britain’s only island country estate, which boasts 10 miles of waymarked trails through dense forests.

The region is blessed with some of the most accessible islands in Scotland. The Isle of Cumbrae, also known as Great Cumbrae, can be reached by a 10-minute ferry ride from Largs on the mainland. At just 4 miles long and 2 miles wide, the island is popular destination for walkers and cyclists alike. Setting out on two wheels, cyclists can benefit from 11 miles of coastal roads and trails. You can bring your bike with you or choose to hire one from the island’s main town, Millport.

On the mainland, the National Cycling Network has routes in Ayrshire passing through some of the most scenic countryside and making use of off the road tracks and waterside paths wherever possible. Make sure to appreciate the beautiful setting of the ancient woodlands of the expansive Galloway Forest Park and the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, which are spill over into neighbouring regions, as you cycle along quiet tracks and trails.

We recommend using Sustrans national cycle network app, which is free on Apple and Android and enables the user access to over 25,000 miles of walking and cycling across the UK. Click here for a range of pubs with rooms catering for cycling holidays.